Jamaal Charles has a chance to wow the AFC West again this NFL season, and to the chagrin of Chiefs' fans, it's really going to be in Denver.
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Charles has been in a massive position battle in the Broncos' backfield, competing with Stevan Ridley, C.J. Anderson, Devontae Booker and rookie De'Angelo Henderson for a roster spot.
That's a ton of running backs to hold on a roster, so the conventional wisdom suggested that Charles would have to scrap and fight for his spot on the team. At one time one of the most dynamic running backs in the league, Charles has now been at this for nine seasons and he hasn't always been healthy. A roster spot in Denver wasn't a given, but he seemed to lock it up during Saturday night's preseason game against the Packers.
Charles touched the ball six times against the Packers, notching 27 yards on the ground and 15 through the air. He looked shifty, fast, and frankly, he looked like his old self. After the game, Denver head coach Vance Joseph relayed that he was impressed with the veteran's play, and he made it clear that Charles will be on the team come Week 1, saying "I hope so" when asked if Charles will be ready to go for Monday Night Football.
Here's what Vance said, per 247Sports.
"I was impressed with Jamaal. I was hoping he looked like that tonight," said Joseph.
"It's going to be a four or five man backfield that's going to be special, in my opinion," said Joseph.
That's a deep backfield so don't expect Charles to get the brunt of the carries, but perhaps at this point of his career, that's a great thing. He'll be able to stay fresh and hopefully uninjured, so when he does carry the rock for Denver he'll be able to do what he does best.
And what Charles does best is make electrifying plays with the football.
